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B.C. Introduces New Health Statutes

April 14, 2008

VICTORIA – Health Minister George Abbott today introduced the Health Miscellaneous Statutes Act, which will make a number of changes to existing legislation, including greater transparency in the work of the Medical Services Commission.

Section 49 of the Medicare Protection Act will be amended to provide the Medical Services Commission, the body that administers complaints and investigations under the act, and the health minister with greater discretionary powers to disclose information on complaints and investigations in the public interest.

“Greater transparency in our health-care system was a commitment from the 2008 speech from the throne, and we are making changes to the Medicare Protection Act to increase transparency,” said Abbott. “When the act was created by the previous government in 1992, Section 49 prevented the release of any information to the public on the actions and outcomes of investigations by the Medical Services Commission. British Columbians have asked for more transparency in their health-care system, and we are delivering on that today.”

The legislation will also amend sections of the Health and Social Services Delivery Improvement Act, in accordance with the agreements reached between the government and health unions in January 2008, to address issues arising from a 2007 Supreme Court of Canada decision. Building on the 2006 labour agreements, the recent agreements focus on putting direct patient care first.

The Health Sector Partnerships Agreement Act, introduced in 2003, contains provisions similar to the Health and Social Services Delivery Improvement Act, and will also be amended.

In addition, government introduced housekeeping amendments to support last fall’s decision to eliminate ambulance fees for Medical Services Plan premiums assistance clients. Prior to last October’s policy change, 68,000 MSP premium assistance clients were billed for ambulance service each year. Those bills have now been eliminated. An additional change to the act will simplify appointments to the Emergency and Health Services Commission.
Construction Starts at Cancer Centre for the North
Responding to the needs of the people who live in the North, we are constructing a new BC Cancer Centre in Prince George. The project will generate up to 445 jobs during construction, and when completed will offer radiation therapy service for the first time ever in the North.
Southern Interior to get helicopter ambulance pilot
An eight-week pilot project has been launched to provide a dedicated air ambulance helicopter in the Southern Interior to transport critically ill or injured patients. The project will see a local helicopter and pilots contracted to fly Critical Care Transport paramedics from Kamloops directly to an incident scene or rural facility.
New UBC Pharmaceutical Building to Create Hundreds of Jobs
A new state-of-the-art building to house the University of B.C.'s Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science will train hundreds of new pharmacists and create up to 850 new jobs during construction.
More doctors on the way to BC emergency rooms
The Province and the BC Medical Association have announced an increase to the number of doctors in 19 contracted emergency rooms across the province.
Patients to Benefit from Lower Generic Drug Prices
The price of generic drugs in British Columbia will drop to 35 per cent of the brand price, resulting in up to $380 million a year in total savings, following an agreement by the Province with the B.C. Pharmacy Association and the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores (CACDS).
B.C. Commits to a Family Doctor for Everyone by 2015
The Province’s ongoing overhaul of its primary health-care system is being made stronger with a $137-million investment to strengthen service delivery, ensure patients are full participants in their care and provide every British Columbian who wants a family doctor with one by 2015.
BC Health Care Gets an 'A' for Wait Times
A national wait time report card gives British Columbia an ‘A’ when it comes to hip and knee joint replacement, cancer care, cataract surgery and cardiac care.
Nearly $31M Supports World-Class Isotope Research
A $30.7-million provincial investment in one of the world’s top subatomic physics labs is expected to help lead the way in alleviating future medical isotope shortages, while keeping B.C. and Canada at the forefront of particle and nuclear physics.
New Patient Care Centre
Powers Up
Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon has switched on the power to the new Patient Care Centre at the Royal Jubilee Hospital. The power source comes from a newly constructed energy centre as part of the $350 million, 500-bed Patient Care Centre project.
B.C. Launches Patient-Focused Funding Provincewide
Patients will benefit from more timely, accessible care as British Columbia invests an additional $250 million over the next two years to launch its patient-focused funding model to the 23 largest hospitals across the province.
New Program Supports B.C. Families with Sick Kids
Having a sick child not only places emotional stress on a family, it can unfortunately place financial stress on parents as well. Thanks to a new program, British Columbians with children requiring medical care at BC Children’s Hospital will now receive a per-night subsidy to help them travel to be at their child’s side during treatment.
New Mental Health Facility Opens
To support those most in need, we’ve officially opened a new $9.4-million, 20-bed mental health rehabilitation facility that is providing residential specialized care in a supportive, community-like setting.
Health System Saves $34-Million on Computing Services
British Columbia’s health-care system will save $34 million over the next six years on computer software and related services with a new contract between Microsoft and the BC Health Authority Shared Services Organization.
B.C. Leads Country in Meeting Wait Time Benchmarks
According to a new report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information, B.C. now leads Canada in exceeding wait time benchmarks for all priority areas: cancer treatment, cardiac care, sight restoration, and joint replacement.
Premier Announces $25M for Rick Hansen Initiatives
The Province will contribute $25 million towards accelerating the search for a cure for spinal cord injury in British Columbia to mark the start of the 25th anniversary celebration of Rick Hansen’s momentous Man in Motion World Tour.
Interior Gets Better Cancer Care, Closer to Home
A new, state-of-the-art radiation therapy treatment unit and a brachytherapy suite has officially opened at the BC Cancer Agency’s Centre for the Southern Interior, which will help more patients from the Interior get better cancer care, closer to home.
UBC Clinical Teaching Facility Opens at Kelowna General Hospital
The Interior’s new clinical teaching building at Kelowna General Hospital – the home of the Southern Medical Program – is complete and ready to begin training doctors in the Southern Interior for the first time ever.
Funding Approved for Interior Heart & Surgical Centre
The Province has approved funding for the Interior Heart and Surgical Centre (IHSC) project, which will build on the cardiac transition plan currently underway at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) and provide cardiac care closer to home for patients throughout the Interior.
Agreement Signed for Cancer Centre for the North
The new, 5,000-square-metre (54,000-square-foot) BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North will include two linear accelerators, which are used in the delivery of radiation therapy; one computerized-tomography (CT) simulator; a chemotherapy treatment unit; a pharmacy; general outpatient clinics; professional staff offices; and a parkade.
New Campus of Care Opens for Surrey Seniors
The Residence at Morgan Heights, a new campus of care consisting of 40 assisted-living units and 116 residential-care beds, has officially opened providing Surrey seniors with improved access to affordable housing with integrated support services.
Cardiac Services Expand to Kelowna
The first-ever cardiac procedure to be performed at Kelowna General Hospital was successfully completed last month, marking the first time a coronary intervention was preformed anywhere in the province outside of the Lower Mainland and Victoria. Cardiac patients throughout the Interior are now able to get care closer to home, without having to travel to the Lower Mainland.
Additional $31.6-Million Savings for B.C. Health System
Four new contracts to provide health authorities with cardiac, renal dialysis, and operating room supplies will save the province’s health system $31.6 million.
Bill of Rights for Residents Promotes Better Care
A Residents’ Bill of Rights has been introduced to ensure that residents in British Columbia care facilities know their rights, which will be publicly displayed inside all residential care facilities throughout the province.
Outpatient Hospital Reaches Construction Milestone
Construction on the $239-million Surrey Outpatient Hospital has reached a milestone, with the completion of the framing and capping of the roof. The occasion was marked by Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon, along with representatives from Fraser Health, with a tribute to workers and the sealing of a ceremonial time capsule.
Construction Starts on New Research Centre
Premier Gordon Campbell helped launch the official groundbreaking of the new seven-storey, Robert H.N. Ho Research Centre at Vancouver General Hospital.
New ER Opens at Victoria General Hospital
Premier Gordon Campbell and Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon have celebrated a milestone in the delivery of trauma care on Vancouver Island, as they officially opened the new, three-times larger $18.8-million emergency department at Victoria General Hospital.
New Facility to Train Hundreds More Pharmacists for BC
The BC Liberal government is investing $86.4-million in a new state-of-the-art building at the University of British Columbia that will house the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, enabling the expansion of the undergraduate program by 72 students, and helping address the shortage of pharmacists in B.C.
Construction Underway on New Fort St. John Hospital
Ground has officially been broken on construction of the new Fort St. John Hospital and Residential Care project.
Proposed Changes Allow Pharmacists to Give Injections
British Columbians may soon have even more health professionals to choose from when they need to have certain types of injections, including vaccinations.
Health Authorities Save $57.5-Million Through Shared Services
New contracts to provide all health authorities with cardiac supplies such as heart pacemakers and defibrillators and home oxygen services will save the health system $57.5 million.
Premier Announces New ER and Care Tower for Surrey
A new state-of-the-art critical care tower at Surrey Memorial Hospital (SMH) will increase the number of acute care beds by over 30 per cent and will include a new emergency department almost five times the size of the old ER, Premier Gordon Campbell and Health Services Minister George Abbott announced today.
Premier Opens World-Leading Spinal Cord Injury Centre
The world’s largest, most advanced and most comprehensive facility devoted to spinal cord injury research and patient care has been opened by Premier Gordon Campbell, Rick Hansen and members of the health care and spinal cord research community.
Construction Begins on Kelowna Hospital Expansion
Premier Gordon Campbell and Health Services Minister George Abbott led the official groundbreaking for the new Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) expansion, which will modernize patient care, quadruple the size of the emergency room, and prepare KGH to be a teaching hospital for the Okanagan’s first medical program.
Province Delivers on 5,000-Bed Commitment
The provincial government has met its commitment to build 5,000 net-new beds and units for seniors.
Premier Opens New Abbotsford Hospital and Cancer Centre
Premier Gordon Campbell and Health Services Minister George Abbott celebrated a milestone in the history of health care in British Columbia today with the official opening of the new Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre.
Construction Begins on New Royal Jubilee Hospital
Premier Gordon Campbell and Health Services Minister George Abbott broke ground to mark the start of construction of a new $350-million, 500-bed Royal Jubilee Hospital that will reduce wait lists and provide single rooms for over 80 per cent of patients.
Nurse Practitioners Expand Health-Care Delivery Options
For the first time in the history of health-care in British Columbia, the province has 100 nurse practitioners, fulfilling a number of important roles in our health-care system.
Patients, Doctors benefit from Online Medical Records
Doctors in Penticton are among the first in British Columbia to receive computer hardware and software as part of the Province’s electronic medical record project, which is rolling out across B.C.
Expanding Screening to Improve Health of B.C. Babies
Newborn babies in British Columbia will now be screened for more than three times as many disorders at birth that can be treated to avoid lifelong health issues.
New Medical Radiography Program at BCIT
Medical radiography professionals can now take advantage of a new associate certificate program increasing the number of certified medical radiographers in the province and addressing shortages in this important health field.
Record Number of Doctors Graduate in B.C.
The first students to earn their MDs as part of a groundbreaking expansion of medical education in B.C. will graduate tomorrow from the University of British Columbia’s faculty of medicine – the largest class of doctors in the province’s history.
Province Invests $15-Million to Support Nursing in B.C.
B.C. will provide $15 million this year for its provincial Nursing Strategy to recruit, retain and educate the best qualified nurses.
New Centre to Train More Health Professionals in B.C.
A $39.3-million, state-of-the-art Health Sciences Centre that creates spaces for 1,500 more students – primarily in health-care professions including nursing and seniors' care – has been officially opened at Douglas College's David Lam campus.
B.C. to Establish Patient Care Quality Review Boards
Patients with concerns about the quality of their experience in the public health-care system will have access to a new, independent process to address their concerns.
Partnership to Rebuild BC Children's Hospital
Premier Gordon Campbell has announced plans to rebuild BC Children’s Hospital in conjunction with the Campaign for BC Children, a $200-million fundraising initiative launched by BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.
B.C. Introduces New Health Statutes
Health Minister George Abbott has introduced the Health Miscellaneous Statutes Act, which will make a number of changes to existing legislation, including greater transparency in the work of the Medical Services Commission.
Access to Health Professionals Expanded
New legislation has been introduced that will expand patient access to and choice of health professionals, while making British Columbia the most attractive and welcoming place in Canada for health professionals to work.
E-Health Statute Increases Patient Access and Privacy
A new e-Health Act introduced in the Legislature moves British Columbia a step closer to the goal of giving citizens access to their health records and medical information, while strengthening privacy protection.
Groundwork Set for a Modernization of Public Health
The BC Liberals have introduced a new Public Health Act to replace outdated legislation and set the groundwork for a modernization of public health.
BC Liberals Strengthen Public Health System
British Columbia will be the first province in Canada to define and enshrine in legislation the principles of the Canada Health Act and add a sixth principle of sustainability to strengthen B.C.’s health system today and for future generations.
B.C. Introduces Health Care Costs Recovery Act
Health Minister George Abbott has introduced the Health Care Costs Recovery Act providing government with the legal tools necessary to recover millions of dollars annually in health-care costs from third party wrongdoers and their insurers.
Work Begins to Triple Emergency Room Space at Victoria General Hospital
Victoria General Hospital’s new emergency department will accommodate 43,000 annual patient visits – more than triple the capacity of the existing facility.
4,000 Bed Milestone Reached at Cedars Opening
B.C. has passed the 4,000-bed milestone with the opening of the Cedars at Beulah Gardens, a new housing development in East Vancouver, which will provide 89 assisted living units for seniors.
B.C. Opens Burnaby Centre for Mental Health & Addictions
The BC Liberal government will open a new Burnaby Centre for Mental Health and Addictions – the first of its kind in British Columbia – to provide services for people suffering from the most severe addiction and mental health illnesses.
Patient Access, Choice, Quality, Key to Health Vision
Health-care initiatives in today’s speech from the throne build on the input from the Conversation on Health and will improve care for the long term with a new emphasis on patient choice, enhanced access, quality, professional opportunities, prevention.
VCH Performs Record Number of Organ Transplants
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) recorded a provincial – and perhaps Canadian – first by performing a record number of life-saving organ transplants in a 24-hour period.
Terry Fox Research Institute HQ Coming to Vancouver
The BC Liberal government is providing $30 million to the Terry Fox Foundation to fund a new Terry Fox Research Institute that will have sites across the country, with its headquarters located in Vancouver.
Kelowna to get Heart Centre, More Beds, Dr. Training
Kelowna General Hospital will expand to provide future capacity for more patient beds, the Interior’s first-ever revascularization cardiac centre and a planned fourth site for the UBC Faculty of Medicine.
Premier Commits to Build Northern Cancer Centre
A new cancer centre will be built in Prince George as part of a multifaceted strategy to ensure northern British Columbians receive the best possible cancer care.
Record Participation in Health Conversation
Thousands of British Columbians have joined the Conversation on Health to date, making it one of the single largest public discussions on health in B.C. history.
UBC Receives $10M to Research Brain, Childhood Diseases
The BC Liberal government is investing $10 million in two University of British Columbia research projects that will fight childhood infectious diseases and brain disease in the general population.
Major St. Mary’s Hospital Expansion Gets Green Light
Sunshine Coast residents will benefit from the first major expansion of St. Mary’s Hospital in almost two decades, worth an estimated $39.75 million.
Patients to Benefit from New Royal Jubilee Hospital
The provincial government has approved capital funding for a new state-of-the-art Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria to benefit Island patients.
BC Liberal Government Takes Major Steps to Reduce Tobacco Use
The Tobacco Sales Act is being amended to limit the promotion and sale of tobacco products and ban smoking in all indoor public places, including schools and on school grounds.
Health Care Funding to Increase $885-Million in 2007/08
British Columbia’s upcoming budget will commit an additional $885 million to health funding next year, including a new $100-million fund to promote innovation within the health-care system.
Premier Opens Renovated Northern Pediatric Ward
Premier Gordon Campbell joined local government leaders, community donors and health-care professionals today to officially open the new pediatric ward at Prince George Regional Hospital.
Health Authorities to Get $25-Million to Reduce Wait Times
Patients in British Columbia will benefit from hundreds more elective hip and knee surgeries, as well as other diagnostic and surgical procedures, with an additional $25 million being made available to the province’s health authorities.
Dates Set for Conversation on Health Public Forums
The first two of 16 regional Conversation on Health forums will kick off in Kamloops and Surrey in February 2007.
BC Liberal Government Acts Now to Encourage Healthy Living
The BC Liberal government will ban smoking in all indoor public places, phase out junk food in all provincially-owned buildings and develop an active kids program to improve the health of British Columbians.
B.C. Spinal Cord Research Facility a First for Canada
A state-of-the-art $45-million research facility that will take spinal cord research beyond what is currently possible anywhere in the world is officially under construction at Vancouver General Hospital.
World-Class Health Centre Opens in Vancouver
Premier Gordon Campbell has officially opened the Gordon and Leslie Diamond Health Care Centre, an approximately $95-million world-class out-patient care facility, as part of Vancouver General Hospital.
British Columbians to Shape the Future of Health
Premier Gordon Campbell has called on all British Columbians to take an active role in helping to shape the future of the health system by joining the Conversation on Health.
Wait Time for Hip and Knee Surgeries Continue to Drop
Patients are continuing to benefit from shorter wait times for hip and knee replacement surgeries as a result of the provincial government's wait time strategy.
B.C. Wait List Strategy Reduces Hip and Knee Wait Time
Patient wait times for hip and knee surgeries have dropped dramatically in the last year, delivering on our commitment to provide thousands more surgeries for British Columbians.
Premier Campbell Announces Surrey Outpatient Hospital Location
Premier Gordon Campbell today announced that the Green Timbers site in Surrey will be home to the new 148,000-square foot Surrey Outpatient Hospital.
$150-Million Investment in E-Health to Improve Patient Care
Patient care will be improved and modernized throughout British Columbia with the investment of $150 million towards eHealth initiatives.
BC Liberal Government Works with Health Sector to Improve ER's
The BC Liberal government and a wide range of leaders in the health care sector have agreed to work together to implement an action plan to improve the experience of patients, families and staff in the province’s largest and busiest emergency rooms.
B.C. Invests $4-Million for Cancer Research Chair at UBC
The BC Liberal government is providing $4 million to the Canadian Cancer Society to endow a research chair in the primary prevention of cancer at the University of British Columbia, fulfilling a commitment made in this year’s throne speech.
BC Liberals Commit $15 Million for Alzheimer's Research
The BC Liberal government is providing $15 million in funding for the Pacific Alzheimer Research Foundation to support new research aimed at eliminating Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
New Measures to Improve Student Health
As part of its ActNow BC program, the BC Liberal Government is introducing a series of measures to help improve the health of B.C. students.
Major Initiative to Reduce Surgery Wait Times
Premier Gordon Campbell has announced a major initiative to reduce wait times for hip and knee surgeries while building long-term capacity in the health-care system that will maximize the number of surgeries.
"B.C. Tops in Health Care" - Vancouver Sun
Two new reports say Canadians looking for the healthiest place to live in the country, where access to lifesaving cancer drugs ranks No. 1 need only take out one prescription: Live in British Columbia.
Full-Time and Volunteer Firefighters’ Cancer Risk Recognized
B.C.’s full-time, volunteer, part-time and paid on-call firefighters have been extended the benefit of a rebuttable presumption for certain types of cancer as occupational diseases associated with long-term employment as a firefighter.
BC Children's Hospital Opens Two Renovated and Redesigned In-Patient Units
Sick children, their families and care providers at BC Children’s Hospital are the beneficiaries of today’s opening of two renovated and redesigned in-patient units.
Eight New Drugs to be Covered Under PharmaCare
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, glaucoma, migraines and high blood pressure are among those who will benefit from improved health and quality of life through access to eight new drugs under PharmaCare, announced Health Minister George Abbott.
Breakthrough Therapy to Benefit Breast Cancer Patients
Breast cancer patients in British Columbia will gain immediate access to a promising drug therapy through an $8-million funding commitment from the Ministry of Health, the Provincial Health Services Authority and the BC Cancer Agency.
Premier Commits $1 Million for Delta Hospital Expansion
Premier Gordon Campbell announced today that a re-elected BC Liberal government will immediately invest the final $1 million needed to allow an expansion and renovation of Delta Hospital to proceed, ensuring better care for patients in Delta.
Premier Pledges to Fast-Track Expansion of Surrey Hospital Services
Premier Gordon Campbell announced today that hospital services will be expanded in Surrey, with the fast-tracking of a review to determine the best long-term health care solution for Surrey.
Act Now! Program Brings Culture of Fitness and Health Living to BC
The Act Now! BC program has the goal of making British Columbia the healthiest jurisdiction ever to host an Olympic and Paralympic Games.
$73-million Investment in to Early Childhood Health Screening
The launch of a new $73 million program to provide universal hearing, dental and vision screening for every child under age six will give B.C. children the best possible start on a healthy, happy life.
$20-Million to Support Mental Health Research
The BC Liberal government will seek legislative approval for a $10-million contribution to help establish three new research chairs and a new Institute of Mental Health at the University of B.C., matching a $10-million private gift to UBC
$20 Million Improves Patient Access to Hip and Knee Replacement Surgeries
The BC Liberal government is investing $20.7 million to improve patient access to hip and knee replacement surgeries and diagnostic procedures.
Patients to Benefit from $123 Million Funding Increase
Patients across British Columbia will benefit from a $123 million increase in funding to the province’s six health authorities in 2004/2005 to a total of approximately $6.2 billion.
$5 Million Invested to Reduce Wait Time for Heart Surgery
The BC Liberal government is investing $5 million to improve access to cardiac care, the first in a series of targeted investments designed to reduce surgical wait lists.
Expanded Medical Training Now Underway
Expanding training for medical students is critical to our ability to recruit and retain doctors in all areas of the province, especially in rural and remote communities.
BC Liberals Commit to HIV/AIDS Pilot Project
Premier Gordon Campbell announced a commitment to a pilot project that will expand access to HIV and AIDS drugs to the street-involved population in downtown Prince George and Vancouver’s downtown eastside. The program will decrease AIDS related suffering and further prevent the spread of HIV disease.



Authorized By Jim Pipe, Financial Agent BC Liberal Party.
Tel: 604.606.6000, 1.800.567.2257